Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)—"Partnership to Secure the Supply Chain"—"was launched
in November 2001, with just seven companies—seven major importers" and, by 2004, there were "over 7,400 companies" enrolled, including "United States importers, customs brokers, terminal operators, carriers and foreign manufacturers." [1]

C-TPAT partners and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) work "to protect their supply chains from concealment of terrorist weapons, including weapons of mass destruction ... In exchange, CBP provides reduced inspections at the port of arrival and expedited processing at the border. C-TPAT is one of several CBP initiatives implemented after 9/11 to achieve CBP’s twin goals: security and facilitation.

"To ensure the success of C-TPAT, this strategic plan conveys CBP’s vision and goals for the future. To achieve CBP's twin goals, the C-TPAT strategic plan is designed to" [2] (as stated):

Improve security of a significant percentage of shipments to the United States;

Provide benefits and incentives to private sector companies that meet or exceed C-TPAT supply chain security criteria and best practices; and